The Atlanta Falcons released DE Ray Edwards early last week because the lineman refused to join a team meeting after the team's Week 10 loss. Edwards sat alone at his locker and ignored head coach Mike Smith's request to join the rest of the team.

Minnesota Vikings OT Phil Loadholt will have the primary responsibility of holding a former teammate, DL Ray Edwards, at bay in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons. Edwards spend his first five seasons with the Vikings before leaving to sign a five-year deal with the Falcons during the offseason. "We practiced against each other every day for the past two years," Loadholt said Wednesday, Nov. 23. "So, I think it's definitely an advantage to the point where I've seen him day in and day out my first couple years in this league."

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said the team will monitor DE Ray Edwards (knee) during the third preseason game Saturday, Aug. 27, but he will not be on a snap count and is expected to play as long as the other starters.

Unrestricted free-agent DE Ray Edwards (Vikings) said he would be willing to listen to offers from the Minnesota Vikings about a possible return. He said it is up to them, but he noted they did not show interest in retaining him previously. Edwards said he is looking for a team that is looking to win and is interested in his services. He has 16 1/2 sacks during the past two seasons combined, and is expected to be one of the top defensive players available on the free-agent market.

After backing up Minnesota Vikings DL Ray Edwards the past three seasons, DL Brian Robison wants to start - and he knows that probably means Edwards has to go. Edwards is looking to be paid more than the $14.1 million Robison received. "He deserves that payday, and at the same time, I feel like I deserve the right to start," Robison said. "I feel like I've fought every year for that right to start and haven't really got the shot that I deserve yet, and hopefully, now I'll get that shot and he'll go get his payday and we'll all be happy."

The Baltimore Ravens likely will not show interest in Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent DE Ray Edwards once free agency begins because he has played in a 4-3 defensive alignment and the Ravens switch between a 4-3 defense and 3-4 defense during games.

Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen said he believes that impending free-agent DE Ray Edwards deserves a new contract but is not sure if the Vikings will be willing to give Edwards what he will be looking for. "Is Ray deserving of a big contract? I think he's deserving of a contract," Allen said. "So management will do what they feel is best for the team and Ray will do what he feels is best for himself in his career. And then you go from there. That's just the business side of things. You got one shot to make as much money as you can to retire off of. You can't blame the guy for trying to get everything he's worth, especially if there's guys who are making more money for him."

If the Minnesota Vikings try to hold onto restricted free-agent DL Ray Edwards with a tender, he could focus on a prospective boxing career. "I've openly said I won't play for the Vikings, because of the simple fact of my backup (DL Brian Robison) is getting paid 70 more percent than I am - there's no way I can do that to myself. I'd rather do what I love doing. I love doing football as well. But if there's nobody that's going to trade for me, I will be definitely focusing on boxing."

Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent Ray Edwards said he is not interested in playing under the first-round tender he received if he is categorized as a restricted free agent once the lockout ends. Edwards said he does not want to play for less than what backup DE Brian Robison will be paid. Robison recently got a new three-year, $14.1 million contract.

Minnesota Vikings DL Ray Edwards is considered a "long shot" to return in 2011, according to Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. General manager Rick Spielman said in a radio interview that the team would like that back, but that is not believed to be the case by the team's beat writers.

The Minnesota Vikings likely will not be able to re-sign impending free-agent DE Ray Edwards this offseason because he is looking for a big money contract, reports Jeremy Fowler, of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Minnesota Vikings DL Ray Edwards (ankle) was able to play in Week 15 against the Chicago Bears and he did not appear to suffer any ill effects of the injury since he finished the game, reports Chip Scoggins and Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Head coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday, Dec. 21, that the return of Edwards was a "plus for us."